About us

The University of Chichester can trace its origins back to 1839. In the early part of the 19th century, there was considerable debate about the role of church and state in university education.

In 1873 the College became a training college for women as a result of the campaign by Louisa Hubbard to encourage the acceptance of women as teachers. Male students were not introduced until 1957.

The Bognor Regis College of Education was set up in 1946 as an emergency training college for men and women to meet the severe shortage of teachers after the war. It was located in a crescent of three beautiful Regency houses.

The West Sussex Institute of Higher Education was formed in 1977 as a result of the merger between the two colleges (Bishop Otter College and the Bognor Regis College of Education) it was a single institution of higher education, which allowed the two colleges to retain some of their traditions and identity. Initially, degrees were awarded by Sussex and Southampton Universities, but the Institute moved to a single degree awarding body, the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) and then with the demise of the Council, the Institute became an accredited college of the University of Southampton, awarding Southampton degrees.

To confirm its unitary identity and prime location, in 1995, the Institute changed its name to Chichester Institute of Higher Education. In 1999 the Institute gained degree awarding powers in its own right and the name was changed to University College Chichester. 

The title 'University of Chichester' was approved by the Privy Council on 12 October 2005.